![] (http://thebacklot.mtvnimages.com/uploads/2014/06/ryan-127_1.jpg?quality=0.7) _“There was always one thing I could never teach my brothers. They just never understood. None of us became Robin because we wanted to. We did it because HE needed us to” – Dick Grayson_ **Name:** - Richard John “Dick” Grayson **Alias:** - None Robin and Nightwing (Formerly) **Age** - 27 **Occupation:** - Detective (GCPD, Gangs and Narcotics Division) **Skills & Abilities** - Martial Arts: ◾Espionage: ◾ Acrobatics ◾Weaponry ◾Throwing: ◾Genius Level Intellect ◾ Tactical Analysis ◾Disguise ◾Investigation ◾Leadership ◾Tracking ◾Escapology ◾Intimidation ◾Stealth **Equipment** - Standard GCPD Issued Sidearm - Formerly the Nightwing Suit and Utility Belt **Personality & History:** _My Little Robin_ Young Dick Grayson was born on the first day of spring, March 21st. His mother nicknamed him "little Robin." Little did she know how prophetic this term of endearment would be in her son's life. The Flying Graysons were a Romany family whose act was based around an unrivalled mastery of acrobatics. Dick had been trained from birth to join them and was the star if the show by age ten. Before a very significant appearance in Gotham City, in which The Flying Graysons were the main attraction of Haly’s Circus, they were asked to pose for a photo opportunity with Jack Drake and his family, including their young son, Tim Drake. On that evening, he overheard "Boss" Tony Zucco, a well-known and feared crime lord, threaten the performers unless the circus's owner paid protection money. The owner refused, and that night Dick watched in horror as his parents' high wire snapped, sending his parents hurtling to their deaths, all while many of Gotham's elite watched on. Young Dick felt responsible, because he failed to warn his parents in time. Shortly after, billionaire Bruce Wayne sensing a kindred spirit, approaches the boy and offers to adopt him. Thus a lifelong friendship is born. _Becoming the Boy Wonder_ Shortly after moving into Wayne Manor, Dick became suspicious of his new friend when he noted that he never saw Bruce after 7pm every night. One evening he used his acrobatic skills to follow Bruce undetected…or so he thought. Eventually, tailing the philanthropist brought Dick to the Batcave where Bruce discovered the young boy and decided to share his secret. Bruce then offered to help Dick in bringing Tony Zucco. The orphan accepted and Bruce trained him for months. After initially having trouble accepting a name, he finally settled on his moniker being Robin, the name his mother had given him. The Boy Wonder had arrived and a legacy was born. Forming a secondary team and a long standing bond with a girl calling herself Batgirl, Dick protects Gotham alongside Bruce for six years. _College – Enter Nightwing_ At age sixteen, Dick finally began to feel the strain of being Robin. He began to realise that he never actually wanted to be a hero, he only became one because he realised that it was something Bruce needed. Bruce needed someone to stop him from crossing the line. After more and more conflicts, the dynamic duo finally went their separate ways. Dick dropped the Robin mantle and headed off to college in Bludhaven. Once there, he signed up for veterinarian classes and roomed with a kid from Keystone called Wally West (who would become his life long friend) he even tried to put Barbara out of his mind by dating Helena Bertinelli (another person who would play a vital part in his future). Eventually the call for justice became too strong and Dick dropped out of college to enrol in the police academy. Knowing full well he could no longer use the Robin name (especially since Bruce had given it to Jason and then Tim in the intervening years) Dick took up a new name; Nightwing. Barbara soon joined him in Bludhaven and helped him protect the city as best they could whilst also rekindling their on/off romance. _A Normal Life?_ After graduating the police academy, Dick began is dual life as cop and vigilante. For over a year, the two fought tooth and nail to clean up its streets and corrupt police force until eventually they had done it. Of course there was still crime but they had made a serious dent and we’re more or less happy with their work. Resolving that they had done all they could, the couple hung up their cowls and for the first time in twelve years they simply were Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon. The two moved back to Gotham and Barbara asked her father to give Dick a job with the GCPD. Commissioner Gordon, aware of his daughters and her boyfriend’s identities, allowed him to join up. Four years on, Dick and Babs are still a happy, normal couple living a normal life. At least they were until an invitation to a certain wedding comes in the mail… **Character Impressions** • Bruce Wayne: My mentor, my father, my burden. We've barely spoken since the incident with Victor and Nora Fries three years ago. Little shocked he invited me to the wedding. I'll do my best not to punch him in the face. •Tandem: ? •Barbra Gordon: I have loved Barb since we I first discovered who was under her mask. She's so distant lately. I've done everything I can to be there for her. She won't let me in completely. Then again, I've never let her into my heart completely either. •Stephanie Brown: She's like the sister I always wanted. Little dork. •Tim Drake: Tim is......Tim is what I should've been. He's the Robin Bruce always wanted. •Damian Wayne: Little brat but he's changing slowly, it's a good thing. •Cassandra Cain: Haven't had a chance to get to know her yet. •Catwoman: So Selina and Bruce are finally getting together? Well I'm just glad he decided on Selina rather than someone like Talia. **Extra:** - Dick is a huge music fan, he does everything with headphones in, including police and vigilante work. - He is well known as a civilian in the gotham underworld for his trademark converse shoes. - Despite not talking to Bruce for years, Dick has managed to stay in the loop in regards to other members of the family, he has helped train and select several of the Robins **Story Arc:** _The Gray Son of Gotham:_ For the first time in nearly twenty years, Haly’s Circus returns to Gotham City. Dick is torn whether to return, at least to see if any of the old faces are still there. Barbara on the other hand thinks it a great idea for the entire extended Wayne family to head off for a night at the circus in order to reconnect. Upon their arrival, they are greeted by CC Haly who takes Dick off to the side for a private word. Haly says nothing other than an old nursery rhyme he used to tell Dick as a boy before disappearing into the shadows. Unnerved, he returns to the others with horrible feeling that history is going to repeat. "Beware The Court of Owls, that watches all the time, Ruling Gotham from a shadow perch, behind granite and lime. They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed, Speak not a whispered word of them or they'll send The Talon for your head." ![](http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11111/111112756/3231992-4056144672-24955.jpg)